1990's Chanel Helmet
View Similar Items
1990's Chanel Helmet
About the Item
Chanel
In the years following the opening of her modest millinery shop, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel became a pivotal designer of both fashionable casual wear and Paris haute couture as well as an icon and arbiter of 20th-century style with her bob haircut and pearls. Today vintage Chanel handbags, jackets and evening dresses are among the most sought-after clothing and accessories for fashion lovers all over the world.
The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 in Paris on rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel (1883–1971), who had picked up the nickname “Coco” while working as a club singer. The boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Soon she added a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where Coco set the tone for her defining sense of style — traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric.
Effortless and elegant, Chanel's designs promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by complicated layers of fabric and cumbersome corsets. She followed this success with a couture house, opened in 1915 in Biarritz.
But Chanel was not born into a life of glamour. Following the death of her mother, her father left her in an orphanage where she lived until the age of 18. It was there that she learned to sew as well as appreciate the classic pairing of black and white as worn by the nuns.
In 1926, Chanel introduced her first little black dress, reclaiming a color that had once been reserved for mourning and working-class women. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed.
Chanel closed her fashion operations during World War II, then returned to the industry in 1954 to design for the functional needs of modern women.
Structure and wearability endured in all of Chanel’s clothing and accessories, like the quilted leather 2.55 handbag — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes. Her collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic.
After Coco Chanel died in 1971, the brand underwent several changes in leadership, including fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who took over as artistic director in 1983. His collections for Chanel displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. Lagerfeld revived Chanel ballet flats and thoroughly embraced the classic logo's interlocking CCs, which took the form of a clasp featured on so many of the rare Chanel bags that are much sought after today.
Vintage Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel dresses, coats and other clothing of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s riffed on its iconography, accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. And as the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, vintage Chanel bags of the 1990s are among the most prized of the brand’s offerings.
Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, such as expanding into ready-to-wear fashion in 1978 and, in 2002, establishing a subsidiary company — Paraffection — dedicated to preserving the heritage skills of fashion artisan workshops. The House of Chanel still operates its flagship on rue Cambon in Paris, where it all began.
Browse vintage Chanel bags, evening dresses, shoes, jewelry and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1960's Chinchilla HatLocated in Toronto, OntarioPerfect for the cool winter days ahead. Classic oversized pillbox style grey sheared chinchilla hat circa the 1960's. Excellent vintage condition.Category
1960s French Hats
- 1950s Holt Renfrew Navy Blue Hat with White GrommetsBy Holt RenfrewLocated in Toronto, OntarioVery charming 1950s bowler style hat from Canadian luxury retailer Holt Renfrew. Navy blue mesh with all over contrasting off white grommets. Accented with a navy blue grosgrain ribb...Category
1950s Canadian Hats
- 1950s Alice May Pale Pink Beaded BeretLocated in Toronto, OntarioJust the most fabulous 1950s beret by Alice May New York. Pale pink silk satin with very intricate and stunning all over hand beading. Beading is comprised of an all over squiggle de...Category
1950s American Hats
- 1990s Chanel Silver Metal and Black Leather Hair BarretteBy ChanelLocated in Toronto, OntarioVery cute small size Chanel silver and black leather hair barrette from the 1990s. CHANEL in silver tone metal with an oval trim that presents like a silver Chanel purse strap...Category
1990s French Hats
- 1950s Straw, Satin and Pearl HatLocated in Toronto, OntarioDarling hat from the 1950s. Natural straw with thick large ruched satin band around the crown of the hat, embellished with small teardrop shaped pearls and beads. Small brim. Excelle...Category
1950s American Hats
- 1970s Fox Fur Ushanka HatLocated in Toronto, Ontario1970s toffee and white fox fur Ushanka hat. Gold satin quilted interior. Ear flaps can be tie and worn up. Excellent vintage condition. Made in Finland. 20" diameter.Category
1970s Finnish Hats
- Purple Sequin Headpiece with VeilLocated in Alford, MAc.1950s pillbox-shaped headpiece with open crown and veil, the body composed of purple sequins in a serpentine design. Small velvet bows adorn the crown ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Hats
- Mr. John Hat with Veil, Feathers and RhinestonesBy Mr. JohnLocated in Alford, MAMr. John was one of the preeminent American milliners during the mid twentieth century, closing up his elaborate New York salon sometime in the 1970s, although he continued to design...Category
Mid-20th Century American Hats
- Chanel New White Tweed Baseball Hat MDBy ChanelLocated in West Hollywood, CAChanel new white tweed and multicolor baseball hat, medium with adjustable back velcro strap. Detachable camellia pin, can be worn separately. Comes with ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Hats
- 1940s Black Felt Peaked-Front Hat w Large Sapphire Blue Velvet Flower & NettingLocated in Gresham, OR1940s Black Felt Peaked-Front Hat w Large Sapphire Blue Velvet Flower & Netting: Union label inside, no maker. Fits up to size 22.Category
1940s American Hats
- 1960s Christian Dior Sage Green Satin Slouchy Turban HatBy Marc Bohan, Christian DiorLocated in Gresham, ORA fabulously louche 1960s Christian Dior by Marc Bohan, sage green silk satin turban hat: Pleated sage green satin turban hat is styled to one side for personality! Worn with a ta...Category
1960s French Hats
- 1960s Christian Dior Baby Blue Tulle Peaked Bubble Turban HatBy Marc Bohan, Christian DiorLocated in Gresham, OR1960s Christian Dior Baby Blue Tulle Peaked Bubble Turban Hat: A dramatic and stylish hat to be worn toward back of head with the hairline peeking...Category
1960s French Hats
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
From the Runway to Rihanna, These Chanel Pearl Sunglasses Are the Peak of ’90s Chic
This cheeky accessory is seriously fun.
With a Wink, Karl Lagerfeld Sent This Egg-Carton-Shaped Chanel Bag Down the Runway
For the brand’s 2014–15 ready-to-wear show in Paris, the designer was inspired by a most unexpected place: the supermarket.